Instant New York Times Bestseller! Girl, Interrupted meets American Horror Story in 1970s Staten Island, as the New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan Collector blends fact, fiction, and the urban legend of Cropsey for a haunting story about a young woman mistakenly imprisoned at Willowbrook State School – the real state-run institution that Geraldo Rivera would later expose for its horrifying abuses. An Indie Next Pick | Peruse Book Club Pick | A Room of Your Own Book Club Pick | A Publishers Lunch Buzz Books Selection Sage Winters always knew her sister was a little different even though they were identical twins. They loved the same things and shared a deep understanding, but Rosemary—awake to every emotion, easily moved to joy or tears—seemed to need more protection from the world. Six years after Rosemary’s death from pneumonia, Sage, now sixteen, still misses her deeply. Their mother perished in a car crash, and Sage’s stepfather, Alan, resents being burdened by a responsibility he never wanted. Yet despite living as near strangers in their Staten Island apartment, Sage is stunned to discover that Alan has kept a shocking secret: Rosemary didn’t die. She was committed to Willowbrook State School and has lingered there until just a few days ago, when she went missing. Sage knows little about Willowbrook. It’s always been a place shrouded by rumor and mystery. A place local parents threaten to send misbehaving kids. With no idea what to expect, Sage secretly sets out for Willowbrook, determined to find Rosemary. What she learns, once she steps through its doors and is mistakenly believed to be her sister, will change her life in ways she never could imagined . . . “A heartbreaking yet insightful read, this novel will open one's eyes to the evil in this world.” —New York Journal of Books “Unvarnished, painful and startlingly clear.” —Bookreporter.com

The Willowbrook Wars is a dramatic and illuminating account of the effort to close down a scandal-ridden institution and return its 5,400 handicapped residents to communities in New York. The wars began in 1972 with Geraldo Rivera's televised raid on the Willowbrook State School. They continued for three years in a federal courtroom, with civil libertarian lawyers persuading a conservative and conscience-stricken judge to expand the rights of the disabled, and they culminated in a 1975 consent decree, with the state of New York pledging to accomplish the unprecedented assignment in six years. From 1975 to 1982, David and Sheila Rothman observed this remarkable chapter in American reform of mental disabilities care. Would the state live up to its agreement without "dumping" residents into other nightmarish institutions? Would the lawyers prove as interested in meeting client needs as in securing client rights? Could a tradition-bound bureaucracy create a new network of community services? And finally, would a governor and a legislature tolerate such outside intervention, and if so, for how long? In answering these questions, The Willowbrook Wars takes us behind the scenes to clarify the role of the judiciary, the fate of the underprivileged, and the potential for social justice. In their new afterword, the authors bring the story up to date, describing the results of the closing of the institution in 1987 from the experiences of integrating the former residents into communities to the legal battles between the state of New York and advocates for the mentally handicapped.

Futures are fought for and love is found afresh in the Wiltshire countryside... When Ella discovers that her husband, Miles, is secretly planning to sell the farm her family has owned for hundreds of years, it’s the final straw. Her already rocky marriage is over. Determined to save Willowbrook and protect her daughter’s future, Ella resolves to build the farm into a successful B&B. New arrival in the village Cameron offers to help, but can Ella trust her instincts? With a determined and vindictive Miles plaguing her efforts, Ella must find the courage to put faith in Cameron if she hopes to save her home. An emotional contemporary saga of family and commitment perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Jojo Moyes. Praise for Saving Willowbrook ‘This gentle English romance will keep readers happily entertained’ Booklist

Roger Walters begins his career as a psychologist, fresh out of graduate school with a master s degree. His dream throughout college was to work at a state psychiatric hospital, applying newly learned skills to help treat the most severe cases of persons with mental illness. The year is 1973. Willowbrook State Hospital in the Upper Midwest of the U.S. welcomes him as a professional, entry-level, state employee. This large and respected psychiatric hospital dates back into the 1890 s. As his early job progresses, he hears increasing rumors on campus. Sometimes, rather hushed speech and muted sounds come from the other side of closed doors. What is that "something" that is so strange in his contacts with certain hospital personnel? He tries to differentiate hunch from obvious reality and knows a decision must be made. Can he - or even should he - survive in this world of "patient care?" Randall Wehler received a master's degree in clinical psychology in 1973, beginning employment at a state psychiatric hospital where he provided a broad range of psychological services during his thirty four years there. His hospital experience included working with mentally ill patients, chemically dependent persons, maladjusted adolescents, and a geriatric population. The career began when psychotropic medications had largely taken the place of older methods of treatment and patient management such as using straight-jackets, hydrotherapy, lobotomies, and electro-shock. The year 1973 was during an era of popularity in using behavior modification (learning theory-based) techniques, cognitive-based (rational) methods, and an assortment of therapies matched to patient need. During the first decade of his tenure at the state hospital, he became involved in psychological research studies and authored or co-authored seven papers published in professional journals. Retirement from state service occurred in late 2007. He continues as a licensed psychologist."

#1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods sweeps readers away with the story of a beloved member of the O'Brien family as she claims the life she's always dreamed of Spirited, spontaneous Carrie Winters has grown up under the watchful eyes of not only her grandfather Mick O'Brien, but the entire town of Chesapeake Shores. Now that she's home from Europe, a glamorous fashion career behind her and her heart broken, there seem to be far too many people watching to see if she'll live up to the expectations her family has for her. As if that weren't enough pressure, Carrie finds herself drawn to sexy, grief-stricken Sam Winslow, who is yearning for someone to help him raise the nephew who's unexpectedly come into his life after a tragedy. With her own life in turmoil, is Carrie really ready to take on a new career and a new man? Or is Sam exactly what she needs to create the strong, loving family she's always wanted?